New Zealand Cricket‘s Public Affairs Manager Richard Boock has ended his tenure with the governing body ahead of his fixed-term contract’s scheduled expiry, delivering a stark assessment of the board’s integrity on his way out, according to a report by the New Zealand Herald’s Shayne Currie. The departure is the latest in a sequence of high-profile exits from NZ Cricket, following those of former CEO Scott Weenink, board member Dion Nash, and Chief Strategy and Financial Officer Ben Kay.
Thirteen years at the heart of New Zealand cricket
Boock arrived at NZ Cricket in 2013 as a crisis communications specialist and former chief cricket writer, stepping into the role during one of the more turbulent chapters in the organisation’s recent past. Over the course of 13 years and under two chief executives and four board chairs, he witnessed NZ Cricket evolve into a widely admired operation — one whose on-field success through the Black Caps and White Ferns, and the high-performance infrastructure underpinning it, became a benchmark for cricket administrations globally. In an email to staff, he described that transformation as a source of genuine pride, and acknowledged that sustaining his contribution across that period had depended heavily on the people around him. “There’s never been a dull day, and I never would’ve made it this long without the support of so many of you,” Boock wrote. “I have enormous respect and admiration for you all; the dedication, the expertise, and the genuine care you bring to your roles every single day. It’s been a privilege to work alongside you,” he added.
Board integrity the stated reason for departure
Despite the warmth directed at his colleagues, Boock was unsparing about what had driven his decision. He was deliberate in drawing a distinction between a standard organisational disagreement and the nature of his actual concern. “As you’re aware, I’ve deliberately avoided describing the reason for my departure as being ‘not aligned’ with the board, because I think this sounds like a disagreement over policy or strategy,” he said. The real issue, he made clear, ran considerably deeper. “My concern is simpler and more fundamental: I’ve lost confidence in the board’s integrity,” Boock stated. “At the end of the day, trust is everything,” he added.
A board already under pressure
Boock’s exit compounds pressure on a board that has faced continuous internal criticism since Weenink’s departure earlier this year. Weenink left following a breakdown in his relationship with the six major associations and the New Zealand Cricket Players Association — a dispute centred on the proposed NZ20 private franchise T20 competition. A staff survey conducted in the wake of his exit, and subsequently reported by the New Zealand Herald, laid bare the depth of employee disquiet. Its summary stated: “A significant portion of staff believe Scott was not supported by the board and was effectively forced out due to external pressure from parts of the network (major associations, cricket players association, NZ20 stakeholders). Many comments explicitly state he ‘did not want to resign’ and was ‘left with no alternative’.” Individual responses were no less pointed, with one staff member saying: “There have been no actions from the board to give me confidence in the organisation’s direction in the short to medium term. I am fully supportive of the SLT [senior leadership team] but am very disappointed in a weak board.”
The board responded to the leaks by commissioning a forensic investigation to identify those responsible — a move that drew sharp internal criticism from some employees who viewed it as an overreach. That investigation has produced no conclusive findings. Chairwoman Diana Puketapu-Lyndon, speaking to the New Zealand Herald in March, declined to engage with the substance of the concerns, saying: “We’re not comfortable discussing documents that were never intended for public discourse, and will therefore decline to elaborate on your questions regarding staff surveys or private correspondence.”
Interim chief executive responds
Interim Chief Executive Graham Parks addressed the departure in a communication to district associations, also obtained by the Herald. “His knowledge of the game, his skill as a communicator, and the relationships he has built across the cricket community have been highly valued throughout his time with the organisation,” Parks said. “On behalf of NZC, I would like to thank Richard for his professionalism, commitment and contribution, and wish him every success for the future,” he added.
Boock closed his message to staff by expressing full confidence in the people he was leaving behind and directing his hopes firmly toward the organisation’s future rather than its present difficulties. He stated that his sincerest wish was for the successes to keep coming — for the teams, the staff, and above all for the game of cricket in New Zealand. The NZ20 competition, which sat at the centre of much of the internal conflict, has been deferred from the 2026/27 summer to 2027/28.
